Genesis 3:9

ยถ And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?

And the LORD {H3068} God {H430} called {H7121} unto Adam {H120}, and said {H559} unto him, Where art thou {H335}?

Adonai, God, called to the man, โ€œWhere are you?โ€

But the LORD God called out to the man, โ€œWhere are you?โ€

And Jehovah God called unto the man, and said unto him, Where art thou?

Commentary

Commentary on Genesis 3:9

Genesis 3:9 marks a pivotal moment in biblical history, capturing the immediate aftermath of humanity's fall from grace. After Adam and Eve had disobeyed God's clear command by eating from the forbidden tree, their innocence was shattered, replaced by shame and fear. This verse records God's direct interaction with Adam, not as a search for information, but as an initiation of accountability and a poignant call to His creation.

Context

This verse follows the crucial event of the Fall, detailed in Genesis 3:6, where Adam and Eve consumed the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Their eyes were opened, revealing their nakedness, which they attempted to cover with fig leaves. Overwhelmed by newfound shame and guilt, they sought to hide themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden (Genesis 3:8). God's question, "Where art thou?", is thus posed to a hiding, fearful humanity, breaking the silence that followed their transgression.

Key Themes

  • Divine Initiative and Pursuit: Even after humanity's rebellion, it is God who takes the first step to seek out Adam. This demonstrates God's persistent love and His desire for relationship, rather than immediately abandoning His creation to their sin.
  • God's Omniscience and Omnipresence: The question "Where art thou?" is not born of ignorance. God, being all-knowing and everywhere present, already knew Adam's location and his spiritual state. It is a rhetorical question designed to prompt Adam to confront his actions and acknowledge his position.
  • Consequences of Sin: Sin leads to shame, fear, and a desire to hide from God. Adam's physical hiding is a metaphor for his spiritual estrangement and the broken fellowship that resulted from disobedience.
  • Call to Accountability: God's question serves as an invitation for Adam to confess his sin and take responsibility for his actions. It sets the stage for the divine judgment and subsequent consequences described later in the chapter.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "Where [art] thou?" is 'Ayekah (ืื™ื”). This single word carries more than just a geographical inquiry. In this context, it functions as a profound spiritual probe, asking "Where are you in relation to me? Where are you morally and spiritually?" It forces Adam to consider his standing before God, having broken covenant. This isn't God searching for a lost person; it's God calling a person to self-awareness and accountability for their choices.

Practical Application

Genesis 3:9 resonates deeply with the human experience today. When we sin, our natural inclination is often to hide from God, from others, and even from ourselves. Yet, this verse assures us that God always takes the initiative to seek us out. His questions to us, whether through our conscience, His Word, or circumstances, are not to gain information but to draw us out of hiding and into a place of confession and restoration. Just as God sought Adam, so too does He seek those who are lost or estranged, echoing the mission of Christ, who came to seek and to save that which was lost. This verse reminds us that hiding in darkness, as Adam did, only perpetuates our separation, while God's persistent call is an invitation to return to His light and grace.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Genesis 4:9

    ยถ And the LORD said unto Cain, Where [is] Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: [Am] I my brother's keeper?

  • Genesis 18:20

    And the LORD said, Because the cry of Sodom and Gomorrah is great, and because their sin is very grievous;

  • Genesis 18:21

    I will go down now, and see whether they have done altogether according to the cry of it, which is come unto me; and if not, I will know.

  • Genesis 16:8

    And he said, Hagar, Sarai's maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai.

  • Joshua 7:17

    And he brought the family of Judah; and he took the family of the Zarhites: and he brought the family of the Zarhites man by man; and Zabdi was taken:

  • Joshua 7:19

    And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

  • Genesis 11:5

    ยถ And the LORD came down to see the city and the tower, which the children of men builded.
โ† Back